According to the 2025 Hotel Chain Development Pipelines in Africa Report, hotel developments in West Africa now make up 45% of all hospitality projects on the continent. With Nigeria slated to host the Intra-African Trade Fair in 2027 – expected to attract 30,000 delegates – the real test isn’t just about how many rooms are available, but whether the country’s hospitality sector can operate at the scale, consistency and quality such an international event demands.

Industry observers point to a structural shift in the region’s hospitality landscape: the emergence of locally-driven, operationally agile hotel brands that understand the unique dynamics of the West African market.

Paul Umoh, Managing Director of BON Hotels West Africa, attributes the sector’s resilience to a rising class of local entrepreneurs and intra-regional business travellers – a segment often overlooked by traditional international brands. “Global operators too often parachute in a one-size-fits-all model,” says Umoh. “We grow from the ground up – with African ownership, operations and guests in mind.”

Now operating across key West African markets, BON’s increasingly diversified portfolio is becoming a case study in how mid-tier, locally-led hospitality can drive returns in regions many global players continue to misread. The company plans to open seven new hotels across Nigeria and Ghana by 2026, including Marriott partnerships, highlighting a shift from foreign-led to regionally-driven expansion.

Rethinking the Regional Approach

While capital cities like Accra and Abuja remain key markets, it’s the emergence of secondary cities that is reshaping the regional hotel map. Places like Kumasi (Ghana), Enugu (Nigeria), and Lomé (Togo) are becoming focal points for infrastructure growth, private investment and travelling professionals – from NGOs to energy contractors.

To meet this demand, BON Hotels has launched its “circuit strategy”: a connected portfolio of dependable hotels across growth hubs. This makes it easier for business travellers to move smoothly between cities and countries. “Being the only credible hotel in a city like Warri or Kano makes you indispensable,” says Umoh. “You become the go-to venue for corporate meetings, government delegations and international agencies.”

This strategy is already paying off. In Ghana, BON is developing a mix of urban hotels, game lodges and resort properties such as BON Hotel Crown Forest, giving it one of the most diversified footprints in the mid-tier category.

Operational Agility Meets Local Ownership

Yet growth in West Africa isn’t just about geography – it’s about understanding capital psychology. When BON introduced a new loyalty programme offering a 50% guest discount, it was met with sharp resistance from hotel owners concerned about profitability.

BON responded quickly, rolling out a rebalanced model tailored to provide value while protecting investor margins. The move underscores a key point: operational success in West Africa demands agility and transparency.

“In this region, most hotel owners use their own funds – not institutional backing,” Umoh explains. “That kind of personal capital comes with emotion and the need for fast results. You must be agile, consultative and crystal-clear in how you operate.”

This ability to pivot, he notes, is what sets regional operators like BON apart from slow-moving multinationals.

Hospitality with an African Heart

At the core of BON’s approach is not just business travel, but cultural connection. Nearly 80% of BON guests are local or regional, and the group has built its model accordingly: 90% of its general managers are local hires, developed through partnerships with training institutions like The Dewdrop Institute in Enugu, Nigeria – a hospitality-focused NGO and social enterprise.

This local-first mindset carries through to menus, design and guest interaction. In each property, the majority of dishes reflect local taste – menus feature up to 85% West African cuisine, from Ghanaian palm nut soup to Ivorian kedjenou. The idea isn’t just comfort – it’s resonance.

“We don’t want guests to feel like they’ve left home,” says Umoh. “This is hospitality the African way – close, warm, intuitive.”

This balance of global-standard systems with local soul has become BON’s signature. It’s also earning praise across the region, demonstrating that hospitality built by Africans, for Africans, is no longer a niche approach – it’s the future.

A Playbook for Growth in Africa

As other brands chase market share in Africa, BON’s trajectory offers a compelling alternative: build networks, not just hotels; empower local owners, not just shareholders; and prioritise authenticity over imported luxury.

With both occupancy and average daily rates climbing, Umoh believes the company’s experience is a benchmark for broader industry transformation. “African business travellers are demanding more,” he says. “If your hotels understand their journeys, their preferences, their pain points – you win.”

In an era where personalisation is power, BON is making its bet on the home field. And so far, it’s working.

With seven out of 10 of the fastest-growing economies in the world being in Africa, and the number of tourists expected to double by 2030, Index Hotels is already ahead of the curve. “We chose to base ourselves in Ghana a number of years ago for several reasons,” explains Seaman. “Ghana’s stable political environment was an important factor, meaning we could safely expand into West Africa. We also identified an opportunity to grow the hospitality industry there by focusing on developing independent local hotels before the market became saturated with internationally branded hotels.

“Being passionate about the impact of hospitality not only on our guests, but also on employees and surrounding communities, we wanted to play a role in upskilling local talent and creating jobs while introducing state-of-the-art technology and world-class systems,” he says.

Fiesta Residences in Accra was Index Hotels’ first new development; a ground-breaking combination of boutique hotel with serviced apartments to attract both short- and long-stay guests – often corporate clientele on business in the area. “We also conceptualised The Grillroom, which was the first of its kind in Ghana – an elegant à la carte restaurant with an upmarket bar, pool terrace and lounge offering guests a first-hand experience of social life in Accra. Together with the Lurra Spa, this helped position Fiesta Residences as a capital city destination.”

Seaman attributes their success in Ghana to an in-depth knowledge of the operational nuances of hospitality in Africa, as well as strong business relationships. “We manage and develop independent hotels by working hand in hand with owners and developers, helping them realise their dream for a hotel that will make a meaningful contribution to the economy and society, while optimising their investment. “We also have a deep understanding of the diversity of local markets and believe in a ‘one-size-fits-one’ approach. As such, everything we do, from concept through to guest experience, is intentionally individualised, based on what the market requires and what niches we have identified.”

A unique ethos and approach
Index Hotels has made their mark with their ‘one-size-fits-one’ approach on home ground in South Africa as well, coupled with a holistic approach to hospitality management. “Where many hotel management companies focus purely on hotel beds, we look beyond this at unique food and beverage offerings and a diversity of accommodation, such as serviced apartments, bungalows and villas,” says Seaman. “Also, lifestyle venues such as our spas, and our flagship Enoteca, a wine showcase experience at Le Grand Domaine in Stellenbosch.

“Offering heartfelt hospitality remains our whole orientation. Hospitality is a catalyst for creating communities and people are hungry for that sense of belonging. Ultimately, I see us as community builders, and that, too, is a unique approach in this industry,” he points out.

Finally, and importantly for tourism in Africa, Seaman stresses that their focus has always been on developing and growing local economies. “This is particularly important given the tourism revenue leakages that have been reported on recently. The figures show that for every US$100 a tourist from a developed country spends in a developing country, only around US$5 remains in that local economy. I believe this advocates for more independent local hotels and is one of the reasons why Index, as an African hotel management company, has been making strides. Our distribution model and revenue optimisation specifically focus on better yields for local hotels by reducing the cost of distributing room inventory, and also conversions to bookings,” he concludes.

The CEOs of SAA and AWA, Vuyani Jarana and John Quan, respectively, today officially signed the MOU at the Ghana Ministry of Aviation in Accra, Ghana.
Hon. Joseph Kofi Adda, the Ghana Minister of Aviation, officiated at the event.

The MOU allows the two airlines to enhance their relationship through synergies that include code sharing, franchising and any other related projects.

“As part of our turnaround strategy, we are constantly looking at ways of improving our customers’ travel experiences. This agreement gives our customers seamless connections from Johannesburg into more destinations in Ghana and other West African destinations.

“The agreement augments SAA’s popular and successful Ghana operations and offers customers a host of additional travel options in Ghana as well as further afield in the African West Coast region.

“As the leading carrier on the continent, our aim is to improve air travel connections on the continent through partnerships and this agreement with AWA goes a long way towards improving intra-African travel,” says Vuyani Jarana, SAA CEO.

“This agreement with South African Airways will help consolidate Africa World Airlines’ position as one of the leading airlines in West Africa. We are excited by the potential that this African partnership can deliver, and are confident that it will be a win-win relationship for both sides,” says John Quan, AWA CEO.

SAA and Africa World Airlines formed a relationship in 2015, which resulted in the commencement of the Accra to Washington Dulles flights.  SAA operates daily flights between Johannesburg and Accra, with four of the flights continuing onwards to Washington; and the other three flights continue onwards to Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire.

SAA’s relationship with AWA has since grown from the original commercial co-operation into the new interline commercial agreement, which became possible when SAA finalised technology integration with AWA in November. The interline agreement allows the acceptance of each other’s customers and access to each other’s network.

SAA customers will fly from Accra on SAA operated flights and then connect to further destinations on flights operated by AWA.

Over the coming months the interline agreement will evolve into a code share agreement.

SAA customers will then travel on one ticket from Johannesburg to Accra, or from Washington to Accra, and onwards to a number of destinations such as Kumasi in central Ghana, Tamale in the north, and Takoradi in the west. SAA customers will also be able to connect from Accra to Lagos and Abuja in Nigeria, Freetown in Sierra Leone, and Monrovia in Liberia.

In turn, customers of Africa World Airlines travelling from Ghana, Lagos, Abuja, Freetown, and Monrovia, are able to travel on one ticket from any AWA point of origin and connect onto SAA international flights to either Washington D.C. or Johannesburg, or further on the SAA network.

With effect from April SAA increases the frequency from Accra to Washington to five flights per week. SAA offers the only nonstop flight between Ghana and Washington D.C. and convenient connections to / from over 100 cities across the U.S. and Canada through its Star Alliance partner, United Airlines via Washington, D.C.-Dulles.

The new US network is aimed at giving passengers travelling between the US and all over Africa the best possible connectivity and shortest routes, whether they are travelling for leisure, business or government work.

Accordingly, Washington DC flights will be increased from current daily to ten weekly flights. The new additional three flights will pass thru Abidjan departing from Addis Ababa in the morning and arriving in Washington D.C. in the evening. The current three weekly flights to Chicago will be increased to five weekly flights. From the planned daily flights to New York, four will be served via Lomé to Newark and three will be via Abidjan to JFK airport. Lastly, there will be a new gateway, Houston, which will replace Los Angeles, and will be served three times per week via West Africa.

The new Houston flights will be the only connection between Houston and Africa and will facilitate the travel of the huge African community in the Houston area, and oil and other companies doing business in the continent. Flights will be served with latest technology aircraft, the Boeing 787, which offers unparalleled on-board comfort.

Regarding the route restructuring, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, Tewolde GebreMariam, remarked, “The U.S. is among our most important markets owing to the presence of a large African community and growing business and tourism ties with Africa. Our new route structure with additional frequencies to multiple gateways and the opening of new route
to Houston are aimed at responding to the market demand and availing best possible connectivity to over 60 African destinations.

Onboard our flights, our customers will continue to enjoy our premium and award-winning service on the most technologically advanced commercial aircraft, the Boeing 787. In line with our Vision 2025 strategic roadmap, we will keep on expanding our U.S. and African network so as to facilitate people-to-people ties and the flow of investment, trade and tourism.”

Africa’s leading carrier, Ethiopian Airlines, has been expanding its international destinations which have now reached more than 119. Manchester, Moscow and Mogadishu are just some of the new destinations the airline launched recently.

SAA offers the only nonstop flight between Ghana and Washington D.C. and offers travellers convenient connections to/from over 100 cities across the US and Canada through its Star Alliance partner, United Airlines via Washington, D.C.-Dulles.

“SAA continues to see growing demand for our nonstop Accra service and this increase in our frequency will give our business and leisure customers more options,” said Todd Neuman, SAA’s regional general manager for North America.

“Our service between Accra and Washington-Dulles has been a resounding success from its inception in 2015 and we are very pleased to further develop the route with the introduction of a fifth weekly flight.”

South African Airways’ flights from Johannesburg to Accra will be available five days a week with continuing service to Washington operating on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. SAA’s increase of flights on the route will also serve to support the new codeshare partnership with Africa World Airlines, which will soon be in place, by offering convenient connections between Accra and additional destinations in West Africa including; Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria; Monrovia, Liberia and Freetown, Sierra Leone. In addition, SAA will continue to operate flights between Washington D.C.-Dulles and Dakar, Senegal and onwards to Johannesburg, two days per week, providing service on the only wide-body aircraft flying nonstop between the US and Senegal.

SAA’s flights between Washington-Dulles and Accra will be operated with the wide-body Airbus A330-300 aircraft, featuring 46 full-flat 180° beds with direct aisle access at every seat in Premium Business Class and 203 seats in Economy Class in a spacious and comfortable cabin. Customers travelling in both Premium Business Class and Economy Class will enjoy an extensive menu of on-demand audio and visual entertainment options, in-seat power ports, freshly prepared meals and complimentary bar service featuring award-winning South African wines.

The new flight schedule is as follows (all times are local):

Washington D.C. – Accra – Johannesburg
SA #210
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday SA #209
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
Depart Washington D.C – IAD: 5.40PM Depart Johannesburg, South Africa: 6.35PM
Arrive Accra, Ghana: 8:00AM +1 Arrive Accra, Ghana: 10:35PM
Depart Accra, Ghana: 9:00AM +1 Depart Accra, Ghana: 11:35PM
Arrive Johannesburg, South Africa: 4.45PM +1 Arrive Washington D.C – IAD: 6.25AM +1

The signing marks the launch of Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts in Senegal and strengthens the brand’s footprint in Western Africa. The hotel will benefit from a prime location in a mixed-used development with financial, residential, recreational and conference districts, as well as a university, state ministries and a 50-hectare industrial park.

Following the signing, Marc Descrozaille, Chief Operating Officer (COO) commented: “This strategic project with our valued partner not only solidifies Movenpick’s presence in this fast-developing region but also affirms our Group’s long standing affinity with Senegal, cemented with the opening of our first hotels in Dakar almost 50 years ago under our midscale and luxury brands.”

“With its vast range of renowned facilities and restaurants, unique style of Swiss hospitality and sought-after location – in the heart Diamniadio and close to both international airports – Mövenpick Hotel Dakar will be well positioned to cater to strong demand generated by a growing number of business and leisure travellers visiting this vibrant capital city.”

Mövenpick Hotel Dakar will be a dining destination in its own right, offering guests and local residents the choice of 11 venues including three specialty restaurants, one ‘Panoramic’ restaurant and bar and an all-day dining outlet, among others. With Dakar witnessing a significant surge in meetings and events business, the modern urban resort will feature a conference centre with 12 meeting rooms, while leisure travellers, including families, will enjoy facilities such as two swimming pools, tennis and basketball courts, a kids club and a spa.

Following the acquisition of Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts earlier this year, AccorHotels has a committed network (operational and pipeline) in the Middle East and Africa of over 400 hotels, representing close to 100,000 rooms across 35 countries in the region.

“Continuing economic growth in Africa is driving greater investment in the continent, and Ghana is proving to be particularly attractive as an investment destination. Protea Hotels by Marriott, is one of Africa’s most well-established hotel brands and we are delighted to debut the brand in the bustling and dynamic capital city of Accra. The hotel will meet the rising demand for quality lodging in the city, catering to both the business as well as the leisure traveller” said Volker Heiden, Vice President Protea Hotels by Marriott, Marriott International, Middle East and Africa.

According to Zibrim Yamusah, President and CEO of The YAMUSAH Group, “We are pleased to partner with Marriott International to bring the Protea Hotels by Marriott brand to Accra. The brand’s strong regional equity and awareness coupled with the global distribution of Marriott International and the strength of its loyalty program, we believe, are a powerful combination that will help position the hotel and drive business.”

Protea Hotel by Marriott Accra Kokota Airport will be a 17-story, 200-room hotel offering a restaurant, a lobby bar and lounge, small conference and meeting facilities, an aircrew lounge, a gymnasium and a roof-top pool bar and lounge with uninterrupted views of the city. With its strategic location and the range of facilities, it will offer, the hotel will be ideal for business and leisure travellers, as well as airline crew and the local community.

Protea Hotel by Marriott Accra Kotoka Airport is expected to open by end of 2019.

The airline’s flagship double-decker will become the first-ever scheduled A380 service to Ghana, with Emirates partnering with the airport to test its operations and infrastructure to accommodate an A380 service.

The one-off A380 flight EK787 from Dubai, will arrive at 11h35 and be on ground for more than six hours before it returns to Dubai as flight EK788 departing at 17h50.

“We have enjoyed a close relationship with Ghana as a strategic hub to West Africa for over a decade, and are honoured to bring our flagship A380 to this vibrant city. The launch of Terminal 3 is a milestone in Ghana’s aviation history and we support every effort to facilitate greater trade links, grow tourism and boost cargo to the region. Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, and our trademark A380 experience is very popular with our customers including Ghanaians who have flown on it to popular destinations like London, Beijing and Guangzhou. We take great pride in showcasing our unique products and services on this aircraft such as the Onboard Lounge and Shower Spa, to travellers between Dubai and Ghana for the first time. We are grateful for the support we have received from the Ghanaian government, and in particular, the Ministry of Aviation and the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, and thank them for their continuous support,” said Orhan Abbas, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations – Africa.

Emirates commenced operations to Ghana in January 2004 and flies to Accra daily from Dubai. Close to 1.6 million passengers have flown the Dubai – Accra route since its start, with popular destinations being China, India and the United Kingdom via its Dubai hub. In 2017-18, Emirates transported over 6,300 tons of cargo to and from the country, supporting businesses and exporters. Main commodities exported from Ghana bound for the UAE and beyond to the Emirates network include fresh and cut fruits.

The Emirates A380 flying to Accra will be set in a three-class configuration, with 426 seats in Economy Class on the main deck, 76 flat-bed seats in Business Class and 14 First Class Private Suites on the upper deck. Once the A380 reaches cruising altitude, passengers in the First Class can enjoy Private Suites, and Shower Spas, an Onboard Lounge for First Class and Business Class passengers that offers a wide range of drinks and canapés, as well as space to socialise or simply relax at 40,000 feet.

Passengers travelling on the main deck in Economy Class can enjoy stretching out in seats with a pitch of up to 33 inches. Passengers in all classes will enjoy the award-winning inflight entertainment system, ice, offering over 3,500 channels of on-demand entertainment. The largest selection of programming in the sky includes a broad selection of movies, shows, music and other programming from Africa, and up to 20MB complimentary on-board Wi-Fi.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Emirates A380. As the largest operator of the double-decker aircraft, Emirates’ currently has 104 A380s in service and 58 pending delivery, more than any airline globally. The airline also recently announced a US$ 16 billion (AED 58.7 billion) deal for 36 additional Airbus A380 aircraft.

This brings the group’s Africa portfolio to 86 hotels, with 18,000 rooms in operation and under development. Located on the Boulevard de la Republique in the heart of the Plateau – the central business district – allows for easy access across the city for guests visiting for business and leisure.

The 152-room hotel is a new construction and scheduled to open in 2021, offering 122 standard rooms, 24 one-bedroom apartments and six two-bedroom apartments. Other facilities include an all-day dining restaurant, a speciality restaurant, a sky bar and fitness room. The city’s largest conference space will have eight meeting rooms over 1000 sqm area.

Radisson Hotel Group, executive vice president and chief development officer, Elie Younes said: “Radisson Hotel & Apartments Abidjan Plateau is the second Radisson hotel signing in the country and is part of our bigger plan to roll-out the Radisson brand across EMEA, building on the success of Radisson Collection, Radisson Blu, Radisson RED and Park Inn by Radisson. The new Radisson hotel will be a hospitality leader in Abidjan offering the largest conference centre in the city centre, stylish accommodation and the city’s first rooftop bar and restaurant.”

“Through the development of the Radisson Hotel & Apartments Abidjan Plateau, we are bringing our bold vision for Africa to life,” said Mohamed Ben Ouda, Palmeraie Development Group’s managing director. “We’re proud to be partnering with Radisson Hotel Group and look forward to a longstanding relationship with an industry leader.”

British Airways’ Regional Commercial Manager, West Africa, Kola Olayinka, stated that the airline will be moving to a new office building in Accra’s Airport Residential Area in a few weeks.

“There are quite a few new changes across board, and for an airline that has been operating in the country for over 81 years, it is exciting for us that we are always able to anticipate and keep up with the market,” explains Olayinka.

The biggest change involves Kevin Leung, who oversaw British Airways’ Commercial operations in Ghana and Kenya moving into a new UK-based role, as Commercial Development Manager for Europe and Africa.

“Just like his predecessor, Moran Birger, Kevin was doing some amazing work for BA in Ghana, and I am not surprised at all that he has gained a promotion in recognition of this,” explains Olayinka.

Kola Olayinka will now be directly responsible for British Airways in both Ghana and Nigeria. “I am happy to say we have since recruited two Ghanaian staff, Aaron Dartey and Bridget Otoo to senior positions as Sales Managers.

The airline will set up an additional office in the new Kotoka Airport Terminal 3 building once it opens for operations later this year.

“Many of our customers have direct control over their flight bookings and details through our online and mobile applications, but we still expect to have some walk-in passengers who may need assistance for various reasons,” says Olayinka.